The England and Wales framework
The Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012, as amended set out requirements relating to EPCs, DECs, air-conditioning inspections, assessors and registers.
The rules address providing energy information at relevant stages of a building’s use or transaction. They sit alongside Building Regulations and other obligations; an EPC does not establish compliance with every requirement applying to a property.
EPCs, DECs and inspection reports
- EPC: a calculated energy-performance assessment, commonly required on construction, sale or letting, subject to the applicable rules and exemptions.
- DEC: an operational energy rating for qualifying public-authority buildings, based on measured energy consumption.
- Air-conditioning inspection report: a separate inspection requirement for qualifying systems; it is not replaced by an EPC or DEC.
Kaizen’s public scheme offering covers OCDEA, NDEA and DEC. Do not infer air-conditioning assessor accreditation from the guidance on this page.
Separate national rules
Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own legal frameworks. Use the official guidance for the building’s location, and confirm that your assessor is approved for the required work.
Responsibilities and exemptions
The building owner, seller, landlord or other responsible person should check which requirements apply before marketing, letting, completion or occupation. Certificate validity, display duties and inspection intervals depend on the certificate and building concerned.
Listed status is not a blanket EPC exemption. Rental minimum energy efficiency standards are a separate set of requirements and should not be confused with EPC production rules. Use current official guidance for exemptions and enforcement rather than assuming that an exemption under one regime applies to another.
Questions or concerns
For a general certificate enquiry, contact Kaizen. To check a lodged certificate, use the official registers. For a complaint about our service or a Kaizen member, use our published procedure.
Guidance reviewed on 29 September 2026. This page is an introduction; the current legislation and official guidance govern individual cases.